Ryan Anderson hit three 3-pointers in the first quarter.

The Orlando Magic waited four full days to erase the foul taste in their mouths from their loss to the Miami Heat.

When that opportunity finally arrived Wednesday night, the Magic took out their frustrations on the injury-ravaged, fatigued Minnesota Timberwolves.

Employing a starting lineup that featured Ryan Anderson at power forward and Rashard Lewis at small forward, the Magic handed the Timberwolves the most lopsided loss in their franchise's history, a 128-86 drubbing at Amway Center.

"I think guys were aggressive," said Magic center Dwight Howard, who finished with 18 points, 16 rebounds and eight blocks in just 23 minutes. "After the game, I told the guys we have to do this every night if we want to be a championship team. We have to bring this same type of intensity and effort and energy every night."

The Magic received contributions up and down their roster, with six other players scoring in double figures, led by Vince Carter, who scored 20 points.

Anderson received his first start of the season as Magic coach Stan Van Gundy attempted to neutralize the Timberwolves' talented 6-foot-10 power forward, Kevin Love.

Minnesota actually held a six-point lead early in the first quarter. Anderson helped erase that advantage, sinking 3-pointers on three consecutive Orlando possessions. The final trey gave Orlando a 15-12 lead.

The Magic (2-1) never trailed the Timberwolves (1-4) again.

Anderson knew he might receive extra playing time.

"If you're surprised and if you're shocked about something like that, you might not come across playing very well," said Anderson, who scored 19 points. "I'm just kind of ready for anything."

The Timberwolves confronted a perfect storm Wednesday.

Two of their best young players, point guard Jonny Flynn and small forward Michael Beasley, sat out because of injuries. To make matters worse, Minnesota had lost to the Miami Heat by 32 points the night before in South Florida.

"It is probably the toughest back-to-back you can play in the whole league," said Love, who had a game-high 22 points. "They just came out and stopped us tonight."

The Magic also had plenty of pent-up frustration.

Orlando players and coaches arrived at Amway Center wanting to make amends for their embarrassing loss last Friday to the Heat. The Magic tried to do that on Tuesday night, but their scheduled game against the New York Knicks had to be postponed because of safety concerns inside Madison Square Garden, their second postponement or cancellation since Oct. 22.

"I was eager to just play," Van Gundy said. "When two of your last four games have been called off, I thought that it was a victory just that this one started."

Howard picked up two personal fouls and one technical in the game's first two minutes. He sat out the rest of the first quarter, but Anderson and Carter filled in ably.

Orlando scored 78 first-half points to break a franchise record for points scored in a first half.

Carter arguably provided his most impressive play with the game's outcome already decided. Three minutes into the third quarter, and with the Magic ahead 82-52, Carter drew an offensive foul on Love.

Carter allowed Love to barrel into him even though Love outweighs Carter by 40 pounds. Carter absorbed the contact and fell backside-first onto the parquet floor.

It seemed like the only time the Magic fell all night.

Howard recorded six of his eight blocks in the third quarter — another franchise record for blocks in one quarter. Some of those blocks sailed into the stands.

"I just think that sometimes blocking a shot and sending it out of bounds shows a team it's not going to be easy coming into the paint," Howard said.

Nothing was easy for Minnesota on Wednesday.

Read Josh Robbins' blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/magicblog and e-mail him at jrobbins@orlandosentinel.com. Subscribe to our Orlando Magic newsletter at OrlandoSentinel.com/joinus.